Paula Bee

I am so glad that you all are doing well; I am always excited when someone begins the first steps of the rest of their lives.

Thank you all for the suggestions and sympathy. I did learn a HUGE lesson from this.

I don't know why it didn't dawn on me til just now, (I think I have been bouncing on the clueless couch all day,) but when we get to solid food, which for me is tomorrow, we have to say goodbye to soups. Sigh... soup is a comfort food to me... Well, I know it will be worth it. (I hope I feel this way when next I meet a bowl of gumbo.)

WOOT! Congrats Michelle.. great weight loss!

I thought you were going to tell us that you said his name was SOOPHHHHIIIAAAAA. Sounds like you did great!

Question first ...I have never been a breakfast person, and if I had to have breakfast I would just grab toast or a bowl of cereal. Tomorrow is the first day I am supposed to eat real food, (I cheated... ugh.. more on that later,) and I not sure how to get protein at breakfast time unless I eat an egg every day, which is bad for my cholesterol. What are other protein choices for breakfast food? Now the confession... I was away from home too long today, and was starving, so I bought a little kid's burger and wanted to eat half of it. Well.. 25 chews and traffic are not compatible, even though I was trying. After a few bites I felt this huge lump push its way into my throat and it hurt. I immediately wanted to hurl, but was on the interstate. I was in so much pain that I used the bag from the little burger to cough up a doughball. I wanted to cry I felt so sick. I took a drink of water to try to unplug anything else that was in there, but it is about 4 hours later, and I am still a little queasy. Needless to say, I am going to prepare better for next time, but I will not be eating in my car again anytime soon, (and no more burgers, no matter how small they are!) I would rather get a migraine from hunger than go through that again. Live and learn

I am excited for you and anxious for your progress update.

Good for you. Keep doing what you are doing, and it will be here before you know.

Took me about 10 tries, and I finally got it.

Hooray for YOU! Thank you for sharing this. It is encouraging, and I love hearing about everyone's progress. Congrats... you are doing great!

Did I miss the first part of this discussion? I am all about celebrating someone's success!

Aw, Honey, It will be okay, and your anxiety is perfectly normal. I am sure you will meet some friends there; not everyone uses the forums. Let us hear how you are when you get home.

I was banded on the 19th. Yippie for you; you are on real food finally. I am trying not to be envious because I start solids tomorrow. The temptation to start today is much worse than yesterday. Hurray for you!

I didn't have any shoulder pain of any kind at any time. I used phazyme to break up any gas in me...It worked like a charm. I was out so fast that I have no memory of anything other than taking the happy pills. I woke up in the room with my husband smiling at me.

Ugh.. I agree; this is disheartening. I have the 10.0 cc band, and I was told by Dr. Ortiz that I would probably only need a couple of fills before I had adequate restriction. I hope this is true! My first fill is in TJ on May 6th; we wanted me to get at least the first fill there, but I am not sure what I will do after that. One day at a time. Trying not to worry!

You will be so happy you are taking this step.

I have one day left in bandster hell! Tuesday is the big day for food, but surprisingly, I am not planning where to go and what to eat. I have cheated a little; some parmesan shavings, a teaspoon of peanut butter... Nothing big, though. I will be happy to start non-liquid foods again, but I have learned so much from the days of liquid diet. One thing is that I am a survivor and that I will be able to do this. Hang in there; You can do it, too.

I don't know if you should worry about it or not...I think it is probably genetically rooted in some way. The third time I lost 100 pounds, I had such an "apron" of skin that I had to get a tummy tuck for yeasty reasons... they took away 6.5 pounds of excess skin and I had a 38 inch incision. Oh, and I have no belly button now..lol.. Your skin sounds good if you don't have stretch marks...Good skin tone will tell.

Your children are ADORABLE, Dahling! Makes me wish mine were that age again..mmm.. not! But I am ready for grandchildren..

I called Lori to discuss the price of Francisco picking us up at the airport again, and she told me that they have a special for $299 that includes the ride to and from the airport, a fill which includes a fluroscope, and one night at the Lucerna. We hopped ALL over that and are going on May 6th for the fill. We are flying for 250, and the total package for me is $550, which is cheaper than driving to the closest fill center to me, the hotel for that night, and the fill with fluroscope. Even though it is a 6.5 flight for us, we will be making it. The finances are just better.

Wow.. you are looking so good! What an inspiration to the rest of us. Keep it up!

Three of the five of mine are barely there already. Two of mine, the little top one and the port one... the glue came off prematurely. I have been using neosporin cream on them, but I think they both will leave little scars. I hate having 2 noticable scars, too, but I certainly am NEVER going to be seen in a two piece bathing suit, so I don't really care.

Where in Florida? I am in Orange Park.

I have a confession, too. I was so hungry yesterday that I took my can of cream of mushroom soup, added a can of my homemade chicken broth, and about an ounce of the boiled chicken, and blended it until completely smooth. It quelled my hungry cravings, making me believe that I was really physically hungry and not just wanting to eat. Yay.. that is a mental improvement. I have to skip the bakery and deli aisles... and on the regular aisles, I know the store so well that I can avert my eyes when I get to something I am giving up completely. It is much easier for me that way.

Wow! Two marriage proposals in one day! That tops my daughter's trip to Rome, where a gypsy ran after her calling her his beautiful princess and proposing. Just think what will happen when you come back for your fills!